It is an interesting fact that normal moles can develop into skin cancer. There are various types of skin cancer such as carcinoma and melanoma. Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the skin pigment which produces dark pigment called melanin which gives the skin its colour. Melanoma is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer which can lead to death. However, melanoma is less common compared to other types of skin cancers. Doctors diagnose about 160,000 cases of melanoma yearly.
Detections of melanoma is more common in women than in men, and has a higher density in the area where people with fair skin, usually caucasian having a lot of exposure to the sun. Detections are mostly from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, North America, Latin America, and northern Europe. The world health organisation, WHO, reports some 48,000 deaths on an annual basis from melanoma related incidents.
The chance of cure is greatest when the tumour is small and thin and can be removed entirely using surgical methods. Early symptoms of melanoma are the change in skin colour or shape of existing moles. The occurance of a lump anywhere on the skin should be referred to a qualified dermatologist without delay. Dermatologist would then need to do a biopsy and test the sample taken in the labs under the microscope. Early signs of melanoma include the shape to be assymetric, irregular borders, change in colour, diameter greater than 6 mm and is constantly evolving over time. These symtoms do not relate to the most dangerous form of melanoma, nodular melanoma which has its own early symptoms which are aleviated above the skin, firm to the touch and is growing.
Metastatic melanoma can have other side effects such as loss of apetite, nausea, vomiting and fatique. Metastasis of early melanoma is possible but quite rare. Less than a fifth of melanomas that are detected early are metastatic.
The most common causes of skin cancer is genetic, too much UV radiation and too much exposure to the sun.
Lactate dehydrogenase tests (LDH) are used to screen for metastases. It is common for patients that have melanoma to undergo chest x-rays, and an LDH test, in some cases, CT, MRI, PET, PET/CT scans. In more severe cases, the lymph nodes are also examined to asses the spread.
Related Articles:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001853/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma
Detections of melanoma is more common in women than in men, and has a higher density in the area where people with fair skin, usually caucasian having a lot of exposure to the sun. Detections are mostly from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, North America, Latin America, and northern Europe. The world health organisation, WHO, reports some 48,000 deaths on an annual basis from melanoma related incidents.
The chance of cure is greatest when the tumour is small and thin and can be removed entirely using surgical methods. Early symptoms of melanoma are the change in skin colour or shape of existing moles. The occurance of a lump anywhere on the skin should be referred to a qualified dermatologist without delay. Dermatologist would then need to do a biopsy and test the sample taken in the labs under the microscope. Early signs of melanoma include the shape to be assymetric, irregular borders, change in colour, diameter greater than 6 mm and is constantly evolving over time. These symtoms do not relate to the most dangerous form of melanoma, nodular melanoma which has its own early symptoms which are aleviated above the skin, firm to the touch and is growing.
Metastatic melanoma can have other side effects such as loss of apetite, nausea, vomiting and fatique. Metastasis of early melanoma is possible but quite rare. Less than a fifth of melanomas that are detected early are metastatic.
The most common causes of skin cancer is genetic, too much UV radiation and too much exposure to the sun.
Lactate dehydrogenase tests (LDH) are used to screen for metastases. It is common for patients that have melanoma to undergo chest x-rays, and an LDH test, in some cases, CT, MRI, PET, PET/CT scans. In more severe cases, the lymph nodes are also examined to asses the spread.
Related Articles:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001853/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma
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